MINERALOGICAL AND PHYSICO-CHEMICAL CHARACTERISATION OF CLAY MATERIALS FROM KWILU-NGONGO (Kongo-Central, DR Congo)

Clay materials collected from two sites (Camp-Beton and Kwilu-Bricks) in the Kwilu-Ngongo region located between 5°30’0’’S and 14°40’60’’E, in the Kongo Central province (DRC), Ten samples selected and subjected to mineralogical, physico-chemical and geotechnical studies with a view to their characterization. Mineralogical analysis by X-ray diffraction made it possible to identify the following minerals: quartz, feldpasth, iron oxide and simple clay minerals including kaolinite. In addition to this kaolinite we also find illite, chlorite and vermiculite. The partical size analysis led to the differentiation of three fractions including: the fine clay fraction, the silty fraction and the sandy fraction. As for the Atterberg Limits, the plasticity Limit ranges from 17 to 30% while the average plasticity index is 13 %. Chemical analyzes made it possible to identify the major oxides elements below: SiO2, Al2O3, TiO2, Fe2O3, K2O, Na2O and MgO.